Trek Session 88 FR as a do-it-all bike ?

Hi,

I have a chance to grab 2009 Session 88 FR. I'm mostly planning it to use for a downhill, but if i'll be travelling and taking a bike with me - I only want to take 1 bike, so wonder how this bike would work for an occasional XC ride? Does it pedal fairly well, or its only good when going down slope ?

And, if anyone can compare it to Specialized SX Trail (the other model I'm looking at) - how would you rate it ?

the sx is a very capable bike. My buddy had one, traded it for a full on dh rig because he races, couldn't afford both. He misses the sx because according to him, it was more fun. I assume its also because he could ride it pretty much anywhere, as apposed to the flatline he got which is a bit more tiresome for xc and such

I just bought a Santa Cruz Nomad on Ebay for 2800 shipped...carbon cranks seat riser, lite tubeless rims and the thing weighs 30 pounds....awesome pedal bike...I sold my stumpjumper and now just use this for XC and AM ...can be used for DH but I like my M9

the trick is ENJOYING YOUR LIFE EACH DAY, don't waste them away wishing for better days

I just bought a Santa Cruz Nomad on Ebay for 2800 shipped...carbon cranks seat riser, lite tubeless rims and the thing weighs 30 pounds....awesome pedal bike...I sold my stumpjumper and now just use this for XC and AM ...can be used for DH but I like my M9

the trick is ENJOYING YOUR LIFE EACH DAY, don't waste them away wishing for better days

The SX Trail is a fantastic bike. I picked up a frame with an RC4 (it was a 2010, back when it had 170mm, not the 180mm from 2011-2012). It pedaled well, and also felt great on the down. I ended up getting rid of it because for a 170mm bike, my Knolly Delirium felt infinitely more plush, and a better pedaler aswell (even though it is heavier)

I have a similar set up, session 8 with a rockshox totem rc2 dh fork, I've taken it for a Xc ride recently. I usually ride a specialized hard rock but wanted to try the trails with a full suspension set up, It made all the DH spots amazing but there's 3 hills one right after another for a total of a 1/4 mile climb and it wasn't enjoyable at all. I usually power up non stop no problem but found myself stoping for a second before the last hill. So if u do more DH riding like I do go with the session nd settle for a cheaper Xc set up, but if Xc is your thing stay away from a DH set up the plushness works against you hardcore.